Calling save on model object does not generate a sql update

I have been using RoRfor a few days, so excuse me if this is a basic
question.

I am trying to save a model object from an action in a controller.

When I call a method on the model object that causes a state change,
then call save, no sql is generated.
However, if I modify the model object property directly from the
controller, then call save, sql is generated.

Here is an example of what I am talking about:

Model object

class MyClass < ActiveRecord::Base
def modifyModel
aDate = Date.today
end
end

Controller

this method generates a sql update

def method1
@myClass = MyClass.find(params[:id])
@myClass.aDate = Date.today
@budget_entry.save!

<...rest of code omitted...>

end

this method does not generate a sql update

def method2
@myClass = MyClass.find(params[:id])
@myClass.modifyModel
@budget_entry.save!

<...rest of code omitted...>

end

Can someone please steer me in the right direction? I want to
encapsulate the state change to certain methods of the model.

On Dec 1, 12:51 am, wb [email protected] wrote:

I have been using RoRfor a few days, so excuse me if this is a basic
question.

I am trying to save a model object from an action in a controller.

When I call a method on the model object that causes a state change,
then call save, no sql is generated.
However, if I modify the model object property directly from the
controller, then call save, sql is generated.

The first thing is that save on an unchanged object is a no-op as of
rails 2.1 (when partial updates was added).

    def modifyModel
            aDate = Date.today
    end

This method does not change the aDate attribute: it just sets a local
variable called aDate (which is forgotten about as soon as that method
returns). To disambiguate and force ruby to call your accessor you
need to do self.aDate = Date::today

Fred